Among Iris’s grandsons is Tucker Greenwell, a football star at CMR. His older sister, Kylie Greenwell, played on CMR’s state champion soccer team a few years ago.

Iris was there to watch.

“It’s been a tough time,” Amber says, “for everybody.”

A celebration of life for Iris is planned Sept. 30. Don’t worry, there are no soccer or football games slated that day.

“We tried to find a date that was in the middle of everything,” Amber says.

All the football – and futbol – meant for busy fall seasons for Iris.

“She was very active in all her grandkids’ lives,” Amber says.

Iris was also very active in education. She taught school for three decades in the Great Falls area and retired, according to her obituary, “from Belt Elementary School where she made a lasting impression on her 4th grade students, parents, colleagues, and the community.”

Said Amber: “A lot of people loved her, especially her grandchildren.”

Brynn and Anslee have a particular fondness for soccer – though they play on different teams.

Brynn is a Russell star with a knack for scoring goals. Her little sister, a defensive specialist, opted not to follow in Brynn’s footsteps and is now happily attending Great Falls High. On Thursday night at 7 on the artificial turf at Memorial Stadium (the boys’ crosstown match is at 5) the siblings will compete against each other.

“They’ve been having fun with it,” Amber says. “They banter back and forth. But it’s really truly joking. Because they’re fine – they’re good friends.”

Brynn is 17. Anslee will turn 16 on Thursday. Why do they attend different schools?

“Anslee played traveling sports for years, basketball and soccer, primarily with girls that go to Great Falls High,” says her mother. “She just had that group of girls she spent most of her time with and they were her good friends.”

Amber says it’s all good.

“You know, honestly, we were fine with it,” she says. “I went to CMR and my husband (Eric) went to Great Falls High, so we’ve always supported athletes on both sides of the river.”

Amber (Warden), graduated from CMR in 1989. Eric, who played football and starred on the slopes as a skier, graduated from Great Falls High in 1991. Their daughters are different players on the pitch.

“Unfortunately, one will be trying to attack the goal and one will be trying to defend it,” Amber says. “Hopefully they get along OK on the field.”

There’s no problem with that at home.

“They’re good friends,” Amber says. “They play hard against each other, but tease each other constantly, too. They get along very well.”

And how will the crosstown rivalry be for Amber and Eric? You might say they could be a bit conflicted on Thursday.

“Ideally," Amber laughs, "both girls will have great games and it will end in a tie."

Scott Mansch can be reached at 791-1481 or smansch@greatfallstribune.com